Cranford, NJ—American Atheists today condemns suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev’s statement to police that defending Islam was the motivating factor behind the bombings during the Boston Marathon. Of the two suspects identified by police, the surviving younger brother, Dzhokhar, has communicated to police that the motivation for the attacks was his older brother Tamerlan’s desire to defend his faith.

“There are no religious reasons—only religious excuses. The excuse of religion does not make people less accountable for their actions and in no way justifies harming innocent people. American Atheists joins our brothers and sisters worldwide in condemning these attacks,” said President David Silverman. “Let us not forget what religion can do—it helps bad people convince themselves that bad actions are good if they are committed in the name of their god.”

AMERICAN ATHEISTS is a national 501(c)(3) organization that defends civil rights for atheists, freethinkers, and other nonbelievers; works for the total separation of religion and government; and addresses issues of First Amendment public policy. American Atheists celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.